Operation HOPE Responds to Flooding and Tornadoes in Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi

Through its financial disaster recovery division and initial funding from The UPS Foundation, HOPE will provide financial recovery information and guidance

ATLANTA – May 8, 2014 – Through the HOPE Coalition America (HCA) Disaster Response Fund, Operation HOPE is coordinating efforts to respond to the recent series of tornadoes and storms that sweep through Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi leaving more than 40 people dead, destroying hundreds of homes, roads and businesses. Jason Yancey, director of HOPE Coalition America will travel to the disaster areas to manage the response efforts, meet with local representatives and provide guidance to recovering individuals and families.

Initial funding by The UPS Foundation made this prompt response possible. HOPE will also seek other corporations and foundations to expand its response capability. Working with the American Red Cross, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and State Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters, HOPE will help those affected rebuild and recover.

The coalition is a collaboration of senior executives and professionals from the banking and financial services, insurance, and other industries. Additional participants include social service, and community services agencies, which provide financial and economic recovery information and guidance to individuals and small businesses affected by disasters.

The United States has a strong network of first responders to address immediate health, safety, and infrastructure needs after disasters through agencies such as the American Red Cross and FEMA. HCA strengthens that network by assisting individuals with the short, medium and long-term economic and financial challenges they face following disasters.

Since its creation in 2001, HCA has assisted more than 450,000 individuals and families recover from disasters. It is Operation HOPE’s financial disaster recovery division, and is primarily focused on pre and post disaster strategies for America’s economic stability.

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About Operation HOPE, Inc.(HOPE)

Since 1992, Operation HOPE, Inc. (HOPE) has worked to deliver “silver rights” empowerment and make free enterprise work for everyone. It promotes financial dignity through the delivery of financial inclusion and education tools to underserved communities. Through its core divisions, the organization has provided youth and adult financial literacy, economic preparedness and financial disaster recovery, digital empowerment, promoted home ownership, and assisted with foreclosure prevention to more than 2 million individuals, families, and small business owners. HOPE's next phase will be focused on Project 5117, a multi-year initiative that will track and increase business role models for youth, boost credit scores for adults, and empower underserved communities. To learn how you can join Project 5117, go to www.operationhope.org.